Families living on the financial edge sometimes must make difficult choices about whether to pay for food or heat, especially during cold snaps like the one we're stuck in now.

If something goes wrong with their utility account, that just adds to their problems, and they might not have the resources to fight. A new program seeks to address that.

The state Public Utility Commission, Widener University School of Law, Pennsylvania Bar Association and low-income advocates unveiled the initiative Friday.

Consumers who meet income requirements will be able to seek legal representation through Widener to help them file formal complaints against their utility company with the PUC. Depending on your income, the assistance could be free or at reduced cost.

Legal representation is not required to file a complaint with the PUC. But the complaint process is not always easy to navigate without an attorney, and you can bet that your electric, gas or water company will have its lawyers on the case.

"Often, complaints before the PUC deal with complex legal issues which can also be emotional issues for consumers,” PUC Commissioner James Cawley said in a news release. “Filing a complaint can be an intimidating process for consumers who find themselves facing off against utility company attorneys. This program is a way for qualifying low-income consumers to have the opportunity for legal representation during the complaint process.”

You can read more details of the program in the PUC news release here.